Despite the increasing strength of McLaren, Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are not giving up the fight. In Formula 1, perseverance is everything—especially for those who intend to win. After starting on the front row in the Sprint Qualifying session, Verstappen delivered a masterful performance in the Sprint race, immediately snatching the lead on the opening lap and maintaining it until the finish. However, later in the second qualifying session, a small error allowed Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari SF-25 to outpace him, meaning Verstappen will not start the Grand Prix from pole position.
Driving mastery and hybrid management: Verstappen continues to impress
Max Verstappen, son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, once again delivered a driving clinic at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Although both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris refrained from taking major risks during the Sprint, the overwhelming pace of the McLaren MCL39—especially in the middle sector—was undeniable. Even so, Verstappen managed to maintain control, using expert hybrid power deployment through specific segments of the Belgian track to block any potential attack from the McLaren duo.
Once again, the reigning World Champion reminded everyone that driver skill can still make a significant difference. Observers noted his unique trajectory through La Source—a line that, while longer, allowed him better control. Telemetry data from the RB21 revealed that Verstappen was able to shift up to third gear at La Source, while Oscar Piastri had to use second. This difference allowed the Dutch driver to accelerate out of the corner with reduced wheelspin, giving him better traction—though ironically, this same issue would cost him during the final Q3 attempt.
Verstappen’s Sprint victory marked a strong start for the new era under Team Principal Laurent Mekies at Red Bull Racing, and it deserved recognition.
Sprint format suits Verstappen despite his public reservations
Though Max Verstappen has made no secret of his dislike for the Sprint weekend format, the statistics show he is one of its most effective competitors. The shorter races eliminate the need for tyre degradation management and allow Verstappen to focus solely on raw pace. His evident joy after taking the chequered flag in the Sprint highlighted just how much the victory meant to him—especially in light of pre-race expectations that did not place him as a favourite.
Red Bull switches to a higher-downforce setup for the main race
Verstappen’s success in the Sprint was achieved using a low-downforce setup, raising eyebrows across the paddock. However, with heavy rain almost guaranteed for the Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull Racing quickly adapted. Learning from their costly mistakes at Silverstone, the team opted for a more downforce-oriented configuration during the afternoon qualifying session. For the first time in many races, both Red Bull cars reached Q3—a milestone in itself for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Notably, Yuki Tsunoda‘s seventh-place qualifying result stood out, considering the Japanese driver’s inconsistent form since graduating from the junior team in Faenza. Still, Red Bull could not replicate their Sprint magic in full. Verstappen only managed fourth place, having made a visible mistake on corner exit at La Source during his final Q3 run, which likely cost him a spot in the top three.
McLaren remains the favourite, but Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are free to attack
Given that McLaren boasts superior downforce levels, even wet conditions may not be enough to shift the odds in Verstappen’s favour. Barring unexpected drama or strategic chaos, Red Bull may need to settle for being the second-fastest team behind the Woking-based squad. However, both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have a key advantage: they have nothing to lose.
With the title fight still far from decided and the pressure more heavily weighing on McLaren, Verstappen and Leclerc can afford to race aggressively. Sunday’s Grand Prix promises to be unpredictable—especially if the rain intensifies—and both drivers are likely to push their cars to the limit from lights out to chequered flag.
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